In This Labyrinth: The Phantom Of The Opera In Erik's Times And Ours

I’m back finally! And in this episode, I talk about obsession. I discuss obsession in the story of Phantom a bit, but I mostly discuss the experience of being an obsessed Phan. And I try to tie it in to the history of obsession in Western culture and medicine, and think a bit about how obsessive Phanship breaks some of the rules of the very normalcy that, I’ve argued previously, Phantom itself challenges!

In this episode, I explore the critical role Phantom and becoming a Phan played in shaping my Disabled identity and politics, and how the Phantom’s spirit helped me find my voice as a Disabled person! I share this in honour of Toronto Disability Pride 2018, which is today. So happy Disability Pride everyone! #TDPM #DisabilityPride #DisabilityPride2018

In this episode, I discuss the Title Song from POTO - the one actually entitled “The Phantom of the Opera”. I talk about some of the awesome things that I read going on in that song/scene, and some of the reasons why it was that song in particular that made me first fall in love with Phantom!

In this episode, I discuss some of the things I take serious issue with in the Gerik, aka the 2004 film adaptation of the Lloyd Webber Phantom. I talk about why I find this film adaptation extremely problematic, and ultimately unfaithful to the spirit of the stage-version! Warning, here there be spoilers for both the stage-musical and the film!

In this episode, I talk about the Andrew Lloyd Webber stage-musical of Phantom, and explore how it deals with and relates to the idea of “normal/normalcy”. Like with the discussion of the Leroux novel last time, I explore both the musical itself as a text, and some of the historical context in which it emerged.

A short tribute to Gillian Lynne, the original choreographer of the Andrew Lloyd Webber stage-musical of Phantom and of many other shows as well. She sadly passed away on Sunday July 1 2018 at the age of 92, after a career spanning 7 decades! Her loss will be felt by the music-theatre world, especially in the U.K., and by the Phantom community around the world as well.

In this second episode, I talk about the original novel of Phantom by Gaston Leroux and its relationship to the concepts of “normal”/“normalcy”. I explore the historical context of the novel, and look at how that context might impact the novel’s handling of those issues. Apologies, btw, for this episode being slightly late. RL business plus technical difficulties equals delay! So thanks very much for your patience. Also, content warning for references to sexism, racism, colonial and ableist violence, and eugenics in discussion of the historical context of the Leroux novel.

In this very first episode, I take some time to introduce myself and the podcast. I explain something of my background and where I'm coming from in doing this show, and some of what inspired me to do it. And I cover the basics of how the podcast is going to work and some of what I hope to cover in it. So I hope you enjoy!